The 2021 Survey of Active Duty Spouses (2021 ADSS) Tabulations of Responses report contains tabulations of responses from the 2021 ADSS which was conducted from July 26, 2021, to November 19, 2021. The target population of the survey consisted of spouses of active duty members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, excluding National Guard and Reserve members, who were below flag rank.
This report includes a discussion of the survey methodology, details on how to use the tabulations of responses, a copy of the web-based survey, and a copy of the pen-and-paper survey. The tabulations are of survey questions regarding background, family structure, COVID-19, service/education/employment, food security, residence, life in the military, permanent change of station, deployments, personal life and support, and financial condition.
The line of research on active duty spouses, begun in 1985 with the DoD surveys of officer and enlisted personnel and military spouses, subsequently continued with OPA conducting joint Service surveys of active duty spouses in 1992, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Many key topics covered by the 2021 ADSS were also included in its predecessors; however, questions have been updated or streamlined as recommended by the Implementation of Department of Defense Survey Burden Action Plan and the Office of Management and Budget.